A $105 billion bill aimed at improving air safety passed the Senate just before the law governing the Federal Aviation Administration was to expire. Tucked into the measure is a provision that senators from Virginia and Maryland oppose — more long-distance flights at Reagan National Airport.
Saying the airport could not support the additional flights, Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner pushed for an amendment that would block the 10 additional long-haul flights. The amendment didn’t even come for a vote.
The two said that was “shameful” and issued the following joint statement:
“The Senate abdicated its responsibility to protect the safety of the 25 million people who fly through DCA every year. Just weeks after two aircraft nearly crashed into one another at DCA, this body refused to take up a commonsense amendment to remove a dangerous provision that would have crammed more flights into the busiest runway in America. We even offered a compromise: another amendment that would have given the Secretary of Transportation the power to settle this matter after considering the implications more flights would have on delays and passenger safety. But some of our colleagues were too afraid to let the experts make the call. They didn’t want to show the American people that they care more about a few lawmakers’ desire for direct flights home than they care about the safety and conveniences of the traveling public. That is shameful and an embarrassment.”
DCA flights are mostly short-haul flights of less than 1,250 miles. Lawmakers who live in Western states have been pushing for the expansion of flights, along with Delta Air Lines.
An FAA analysis of the Reagan National Airport’s operations found it to be near peak capacity, with 20 percent of departures and 22 percent of arrivals already experiencing delays.
The Virginia Democrats and their Maryland colleagues, Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, were the only four senators to vote against final passage of the bill. It passed 88-4.
The measure still needs final approval in the House and the president’s signature.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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